Metal shelving



June 21, 1932-. L.' H, FENSTERMAKER METAL SHELVING Filed Nov. 1, 1929 Patented June 21, 1932 UNTED STATES LLOYD H. FENSTERMAKEB, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSN METAL SHELVING Application led November 1, 1929. Serial No. 403,938.

This invention relates to metal shelving and more particularly to improved means for releasably retaining partitions in sheet metai shelving` 5 One object of the present invention is the provision of an improved pin and clip connection which will permit the positioning and retaining of the partition without requiring the use of nuts and bolts or other fastening i` means which require the use of tools for releasably retainingthe several partitions in position between the shelves.

vA more specific object resides in the formation of a pin and clip connector to insure l against accidental separation of these elements should the clip be displaced from its retaining position.

The present invention is related to the invention disclosed in my copending applica- 2U tion for metal shelving filed August 29, 1929,

Serial No. 389,149. In that application I disclosed a sheet metal shelving which may readily be fabricated or knocked down without the use of tools and further one which could 'l 2J be manufactured and installed at an extremely low cost by virtue of the few essential elements and the simplicity of these elements.

My present invention is related to that inven-l tion, insofar as I am now applying partitions 3a tothe shelving and providing releasable anchoring means therefor. The partitions and releasably retaining means are of simple form and may also be applied or adjusted without the use of tools.

The application of partitions to the shelving shown in my copending application, above referred to,forms a simple and effective means fordividing the shelves to form individual compartments within which material may be placed to segregate it from other materials stored.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing Fig.- 1 represents a front elevational view of sheet metal shelving showin the application of partitions and releasa le retaining means therefor constructed in accordance 50 with the teachings of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View of portions of two successive shelves broken away to show a partition and releasable retaining means therefor.

Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line 3 3 of 2 showing` both front and rear retaining means inposition on the shelving.

Fig. if is a fragmentary view offa portion of the shelf and partition showing a bottom plan of the partition retaining means.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 6 showing a modified form of the retaining clip.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the bottom plan of the modified clip shown in Fig. 5.

The metal shelving towhich I apply the partitions and releasab-le retaining means' of the present invention is preferably formed in accordance with the teachings of my copending application above referred to. This shelving comprises a plurality of spaced uprights 10 preferably in the form of T beams having a series of spaced apertures for receiving anchoring means toreleasably retain shelves 11 in their proper position. The shelves 11 are preferably provided with a series of spaced apertures 12 lying in vertical planes adjacent the front and rear edges thereof. Partitions 13, preferably formed of sheet metal stampings, are adapted to be releasably retained in desired position between successive shelves by the application of releasable retaining means to be hereinafter more specifically described. These partitions 13 are provided with flanges li'turned from their top andbottom marginal edges. Apertures are formed in the flanged portions 14 of the partitions 13. yThese apertures are so spaced that upon proper positioning of the partition between the shelves one. aperture 15 will register with an aperture 12 in the series punched adjacent the forward edge of a shelf 11; while the other aperture 15 will register with an aperture 12 in theV series punched adjacent the rearward edge of the shelf. Nhen the partition has `been placed in the desired position between the shelves with the apertures 15 in the top and bottom flanges of the partition registering with apertures in enlarged head 19 to prevent the pins` fromH falling through the apertures.

Clips 2() are preferablyiormed of sheet metal and stamped or bent into form from suitably shaped blanks. Prior to bending or forming theclifps, akeyhole 21 having ani elongated slot 22 is punched from the blank. The clip is then bent into proper formso that the hole- 21 liesbetween one vendi 23 of the clip and arather sharply curved portion-21i thereof. The curved-portion21r ofthe clipinerges.

intoa second Ycurved' portion'25v wh-ich forms a=wedgeface which acts upon a shoulder 26 on thepinl't to. draw. theilange-11 of the partition'tightlyagainst the shelf-11. The curved portion 25301:; theclip terminatesin a. shoulder 2T which is provided with an outwardly di,- rected` foot'. 28.whichf forms one bearing surtace-forthefclip;v The-other bearing surfacel for the clip liesI adjacent the juncture of the.

cui=ved= portions21' and 25t'hereoitf.v

Theclips are applied toitheplns 16- by passingthe keyhole 21l over the lower exi tremity -oifthe-pinso thattheend ofthe pin lies within thefcurvedfportion 24 of the clip. Wli'ththe clip in this position itis possible-to swingvit soth'at the reduced portion 18 of the y pi-n entersthey sl'ot. 22 of: thekeyhole. The

clipy may then; be swung. untilgthe foot 28er theclipcontacts withrthe bottomfoi1 the iangef 1.4 formedfonthe partition 13., By exerting; laterali pressure upon-the shoulder 27; of the clipf it may be-forcedinwardly-to draw the head `19fot= the pinat-ightly against the uppersurface!of'theshel by. the-wedgin g acti on, of thecu-rvedf portion. 251oithe clip 20 `upon the shroulder26.:ofl the pinv 16.` In this manner the sever-ahl pins 16 are placed` undertension by the application of the clips 2O todraw `the iiuiges- 110i the partitionstightly against:

the surfaces-ot thespaced'shelves to releasablv retainy them in; desired' position.

By application-ofthe clips 20 `in the mannerhereinabove describeditwill readily be seen that theseveralpartitions 13 may be s ecurely'held in place by the actionl ofy the clip on the pins-16.v VShould it befoundzde w sirable to alter-the position of; the partition nel to,pr,ovid e greateryspaceto accommodate the material; storedftherein itis a veryy simple matter to remove the sever-al clips 20 andlpins 16 without the use ofany tools whatsoever.

The clips may `beAdisengaged from they pin merely by the longitudinal; displacement ot the clip in order to break the wedging action between the curved face 25 thereor` and the shoulder 26 of the pin. At this time the clip may be swung` downwardly and turned through a sufficient angle to permit the lower extremity of the pin to be drawn outwardly through the key hole 21. The pin 16 may be removed by ysimply applying pressure on the lower extremity thereof to force the same upwardly through the flange 14 of the partition and alsov the aperture 12 in the shelf. At this time the partition may be moved into the desired position and releasably secured therein.l by the applicationof the pins and clips in a manner hereinabove described.

A` modified form ofclipzisvshownv in Figs. 5 and 6 of thevdrawing". This clip. 20 is a1so= formed of sheet metal and is applied tothei pins 16 in a manner substantially identicahto theapplicationot the clips 20.. The'clip'20 comprises afoot 28" turned from the shoulder 27.. A curved face 24 is directed .from .theouter extremity of :the shoulder 27 towardf the planeio the foot- 28-l The other extreme ityy ot the face24 mergeswith. a do.wn-wardlyf turned extremity 23?. A keyhole 21" isfpl;o,;- vided adjacent the end- 23I of theclipz20". elongated slot 22;l directed fromsazkeyzhole 211 differs from the slot 220i the preferredlv form only insofar asit lies adj acen-teonefedge of theclip andl is providedgwith anangularlyf disposed portion 29 which is directed across; the end123f of the clip into the keyhole 2l. The application of this clip 2O` to: the pini- 16." is effected; inthe following mannerk The keyhole 21 is passed'over the lowerextrem-V ityfot the-:pinl 16,- as showmbyfthebroken lineshowing Ae of Figg. The clip ist-hen'movedl laterallyinto thev position indicated; by the broken lineshowing B1 Freni the position; Btheclip. isswung Vabout the pin 16 as a pivot-'to they dotted;i line showingfC. Frome t-hisxpositionit'mayfbefforced horizontally to the full line position shown toeffect a wedge'v ing*k action: on the pin 16?. The cl`ips 20." serve-in the identical manner as thewclips20i to' releasably retain partitions 13l between; shelves -11 i It will readily be seen fromthe foregoingI decription of the present invent-ion' that simple and effective means have been1-providedi for releasably. retaining partitions in shelvingf It' will.I further be: notedA that the initialapositioningand retainingof the partitions maybe effectediby the application ot releasable retaining means in the formV oftpinfandf clip connectors withoutrequiring' the use of toolsto effect anchorag'elofthepartitions. It is alsofpossibleito eiiect; repositioniuggof the partition by removing the :pin and' clip connector and replacing them:after-thepartition hasbeen moved tothe desired positiont Y Itwill furtherbe noted that: should theclips 20`fbeaccidentally vdisplaced lfrom their.Y desi'redi pin. retaining.,4 positionl they: cannot'.

fall from the pin but will hang downwardly as indicated in the dotted line showing of Fig. 3. By virtue of this condition the partition 13 will be retained in desired position even though one or more of the clips may be accidentally displaced.

The advantages of the present means for ,releasably retaining partitions in sheet metal shelving are numerous and it will suflice to say that the simplicity of the device coupled with ready and easy method of installation or adjustment provides a real improvement over known devices of the prior art. In addition to the simplicity of structure and application the present releasable retaining means for positioning the partitions serves to provide a structure of great strength and rigidity which is an essential feature in fabricated sheet metal shelving structure.

lVhile the invention has been described in considerable detail in the foregoing specifications it is understood that various changes may be made in its embodiments without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages hereinafter claimed.

I claim l. In a sheet metal structure of knockdown type the combination of a perforated member, a second perforated member for releasable attachment thereto, a pin inserted through perforations in said members, a reduced portion on said pin adjacent one extremity thereof, a clip engaging said pin, a slot in said clip in which said reduced portion of said pin is engaged and a face on said clip coacting with said pin to releasably retain said members in attachment.

2. In a sheet metal structure of knockdown type the combination of a perforated member, a second perforated member for releasable attachment thereto, a pin inserted through perforations in said member, a reduced portion on said pin adjacent one extremity thereof, a. clip applied to said pin, a slot in said clip engaging said reduced portion of said pin, a curved portion on said clip coacting with said pin to releasably retain the pin within said members, and a second curved portion on said clip coacting with said pin to insure against accidental separation of said pin and clip.

3. In a shelving structure the combination of a plurality of shelves having spaced perforations therein, a flanged partition having perforation in the flanges, means for releasablv retaining said partition between said shelves, said means comprising a plurality of pins inserted through the perforations in said shelves and partition, each of said pins having a reduced portion adjacent one extremity thereof, and a clip engaging the reduced portion of each of said pins and coacting therewith to bind the flange of said partition to said shelf.

4. In a shelving structure the combination of a plurality of shelves having spaced apertures adjacent their front and rear margins, a flc nged partition having perforations in the ianges, means for releasahly retaining said partition between said shelves, said means comprising a plurality of pins, inserted through the apertures in said shelves and partition, a reduced portion on each of said pins adjacent one extremity thereof, a clip having an arched portion engaging the reduced portion of each of said pins, said clip coacting with said pin to bind the flange of said partition to said shelf, and means on said clip to prevent accidental separation of said pin and clip. i

5. In a shelving structure the combination of a plurality of shelf membershaving spaced apertures therein, a fianged partition member having spaced apertures* in the flanges, means for releasably connecting said partition and shelves, said means comprising a pin inserted through aligned apertures of said members, a. reduced portion adjacent one extremity of said pin, a clip engaging said reduced portion of said pin to releasably retain said pin within said apertures, said clipcomprising an irregularly shaped body portion, a pin receiving slot in said body portion, a curved portion on said clip coacting with said pin to releasably retain said pin against separation from said perforated members, and a second curved pin engaging portion on said clip to prevent accidental separation of said clip and said pin.

6. In a sheet metal structure of knockdown type the combination of a perforated member, a second perforated member releasably attached thereto, releasable connecting means therefor comprising a pin inserted through aligned perforations of said members, a reduced portion on said pin, a clip engaging said reduced portion of said pin to releasably retain the same in said members, a keyhole pin receiving slot in said clip having an enlarged opening adjacent one extremity of said clip, a curved portion on said clip adjacent said last named extremity, a second curved portion merging with said first named portion, said second named curved portion terminating in a shoulder to space the same from said shelf, a foot on said shoulder, said foot cooperating with said first named curved portion to provide bearing surface for said clip, said keyhole slot extended longitudinally of said clip through said first and second Inamed curved portions, and said second named curved portion of said clip forming a wedge face cooperating with said pin to releasably retain the same in said perforated members.

7. In a sheet metal structure of knock-down type the combination of a perforated member, a second perforated member for releasable attachment thereto, releasable connecting means therefor comprising a pin inserted through alignedv perforations of said inembers, a reduced portion on said pin7 a: clip engaggingl said reduced portion of saidpn to releasably retainv the same in. said members,A a keyhole pin receiving'slot in said clip having its enlarged portion adjacent one extremity of4 said clip, a curved portion onsaid clip adjacent said last named extremity, a second curved portion mergingwith said first named portion, said second named curved portion terminatingin a shoulder to spacethe same from said shelf, a foot on said shoulder, said foot cooperating With said first named curved portion to provide bearing surface for said L clip7 said keyhole slot extending/longitudinally of said clip through said first and second named curved portions and said iii-st named curved portion of said clip cooperatingwith said pin to insure against accidental Je separation of said clip and pin.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this l8th'day'o October, 1929.

LLOYD H. FENSTERMAKER. 

